Scottish Parliament

Wednesday 9 June 1999

Written Answers

Scottish Executive

Fisheries

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the First Minister will urgently meet with Scottish fishermen’s leaders to discuss the Scottish Adjacent Water Boundaries Order (S.I. 1999/1126) and its implications for Scotland.

Ross Finnie: The Deputy Minister for Rural Affairs and I met with Scottish fishermen’s leaders on Friday 4 June to discuss a variety of important issues, including the Scottish Adjacent Waters Boundaries Order.

Fisheries

Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether responsibility for the operation in Scotland of –

  the Harbour Grants Scheme;

  the Fishing Vessels (Safety Improvements)(Grants) Scheme 1995, and European grants under the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance

  will transfer to the Scottish Executive on 1 July 1999 and, if so, whether it intends to continue to implement these schemes.

Ross Finnie: Responsibility for the operation in Scotland of the Harbour Grants Scheme and European grants under the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) will transfer to the Scottish Executive on 1 July 1999. It will be for the Scottish Parliament to determine if and how these schemes will continue to be implemented in future.

  The Fishing Vessels (Safety Improvements) (Grants) Scheme 1995 was closed by MAFF on 21 May 1999. This Scheme was funded by MAFF and administered by the Sea Fish Industry Authority throughout Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Legislative Programme

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how and when will the legislative programme be laid out.

Donald Dewar: I shall announce the Scottish Executive’s legislative programme on Wednesday 16 June.